Record holder Sherpa to climb Everest again

Record holder Sherpa to climb Everest again

Jan 15, 2007, 4:45 GMT

Kathmandu, - A legendary Sherpa climber who reached the summit of Everest a record 10 times without the use of bottled oxygen said he will attempt the peak once again, newspaper reports said Monday.

Nicknamed Snow Leopard for his amazing feats, 64-year-old Angrita Sherpa says he will attempt to climb the peak once again during the spring climbing season beginning in April.

'I was asked to be part of an expedition to celebrate the country's newfound democracy. I could not refuse the offer,' Kantipur Daily quoted Sherpa as saying.

He will attempt to climb the 8,848 metre high Mount Everest without bottled oxygen and hope to plant the flags of eight parties that spearheaded the mass movement which saw the toppling of King Gyanendra's government in April 2006.

Angrita Sherpa went into retirement eight years ago following health problems. Since then, he has been living a quiet life in his native Hilajung Village in Solukhumbhu district, 160 kilometres north east of the capital.

'I am feeling great and my body feels perfect. I am excited about the expedition,' Sherpa said.

Angrita Sherpa started his climbing career when he was just 15 years-old. His three sons also followed in his footsteps and all have climbed the world's highest peak.

© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur